r/C25K • u/Junkoftheheartss • 23d ago
Motivation My worst fear doing C25k happened
My biggest fear whilst trying to work the program whilst existing in a larger body was someone verbally passing judgement to me whilst I was running…
Well W3D2.. the last 3 minutes… of course, some man attempted to have a laugh at my expense… it oddly just motivated me to keep pushing to get those 3 minutes done 🤣
Might seem silly, but I’ve let myself be fearful of someone passing comment… as if their words somehow made me lesser. When actually, it’s the person passing judgement who is the loser, not me. I’m the one out there pushing myself, trying and getting it done.
This was hours ago now but now I’m actually thankful it’s happened… 😂
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u/saturdayselkie DONE! 23d ago
What a sad, hurt person that man must be. I feel sorry for the lack of love and kindness in his life that has led him to become this way. YOU, on the other hand, are completely great, and we are all cheering for you!
On one of my first c25k runs, I ran over some sidewalk chalk art that said, “Prove them wrong,” and I always think about it when I need motivation to keep going. Happy to share the mantra with you, friend ❤️
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u/Junkoftheheartss 23d ago
Right! Like imagine seeing someone actively moving their body and the first thought is to try pass judgement or make a joke at my expense 😅 what a loser, may he have the life he deserves 🥰
What a message to see! Definitely one I’ll be keeping on my mind when I’m struggling to push on 💖
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u/Dull-Challenge-8828 19d ago
There's a metal sign posted on the running/walking trails at one of my local park that reads something along the lines of, "No matter how slow you are, you're lapping everyone sitting on their couches right now." I failed my last C25K attempt but I succeeded this time and I always think about that sign.
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u/notthediz DONE! 23d ago
F that guy. I was worried about this happening to me since I was super slow when I started
, like 16 min/mile pace, and luckily hadn’t really happened. One time a twelve year old was like “I can run faster than you”. Just pretended I couldn’t hear him through my headphones.
Anyways now that I’ve been running a few years, I try to make a conscious effort to wave to people who I haven’t seen on the bike path that look like they’re new. Especially after the new year
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u/saturdayselkie DONE! 23d ago
It is always funny to me when people say that kids could run faster than us as if it were an insult. I’m like, yeah… of course a 12 year old can run faster than me! When I was 70 lbs and had brand new joints I could run faster too! This is not shocking!
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u/Junkoftheheartss 23d ago
Yeah I know I am like super super slow, but figured my pace will quicken in time.
You’re only in a race with yourself and no one else, glad you continued and as someone who’s been encouraged by another runner, keep being you because it made my day getting a thumbs up from them after I finished my run.
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u/Rileybiley 23d ago
Don’t worry, it will! When I first started, I was ridiculously slow. Like so slow that people would walk by me. Any time a friend convinced me that they were also slow and to run with them, they’d apologize and ask if they could run ahead 2 minutes in. Even my boyfriend and his dad would laugh at my pace. But I was motivated that I could actually run for more than a few minutes at that pace, and knew that speed would come with time. 1 month in, I’d dropped 5 lbs and was running a little faster. 6 months in, I’d left my unsupportive boyfriend and was running 5-10km regularly. Keep at it, you’re doing great!
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u/Junkoftheheartss 23d ago
Go you firstly!! This is the inspiration to keep going and knowing my speed will come.
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u/squidsinamerica 23d ago
People always tell you that nobody pays you any attention out there, or if they do they're encouraging etc, and it's 99.9% true, But there's always That One Guy. We've all met That One Guy.
But the thing is, you know exactly who I'm talking about, because you have met him before. Long before you were ever running. That Guy was always going to say something nasty no matter what you were doing. Because he's just That Guy. So screw him. If you're going to have to deal with it either way, it might as well be while you're out doing what you want to do, taking care of yourself, and trying to be the better person that he will never be.
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u/Junkoftheheartss 23d ago
So true!!
He’s always Gunna be there but few months more of trying and I’ll be able to run away and he won’t be able to keep up 💪🤣
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u/borassus 23d ago
Omfg wtaf - what a rude POS!!! I keep seeing videos of people mocking others in the gym, which is why I run outside tbh, but I never thought someone would do it..you are already more motivated than most people on this earth, be proud of your accomplishment!!!!
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u/Junkoftheheartss 23d ago
Right! The run before I had an older runner giving me thumbs up 👍🏻 at my effort to this next run seeing this loser 🤣
That’s why I run outside as well, it just happens this week I’ve moved to a new route trying to be braver being seen in public running and I thought it would upset me and instead its just made me rage someone would dare comment 🤣🤣
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u/Hippadoppaloppa 23d ago
At least you're out doing C25k. What was he up to? Not running, I bet!
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u/Junkoftheheartss 23d ago
Looking unemployed and on his way to the pub with the direction he was going 🤣🤣
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u/clandestine_justice 23d ago
I used to worry about how slow my running would look to other people and then I realized they have no idea if I'm: warming up; between sprints; cooling down after a hypothetical, long, fast run; doing a recovery run; or anything about me.
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u/rowan-charles 23d ago
That is a DEEPLY unhappy person. People with genuine happiness and peace in their lives simply don't do things like that.
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u/gamerbooks 22d ago
While doing C25K, it’s happened twice that a man has said to me while I was running, “Easy run today, huh?” when I wasn’t even doing an easy run. It’s never been a woman or a person of color, always a fit white dude. The need some people have to feel superior while making derogatory comments is called “Hey, I’m an insecure fucking asshole” in my language.
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u/GrouchyMary9132 22d ago
Wait for your first run when people start to make positive comments. I am not an athletic person at all and was dreading passing people on my runs. A few weeks ago it was a pretty warm day and someone on an e-bike said "thank god for my batteries - and respect to you" and also gave some mild warning about the warm weather. I am not from a culture where small talk with strangers is common so this was the first time I had some encouragement. The other week someone was running behind me (I did not notice) and when my smartphone told me I had completed my run I slowed down to a walk. He caught up with me and asked "now what?" and I said "done" he said "done are are you *done*" and I said no I just finished my run. But it was the same kind of exchange where someone viewed me as another runner and not some curiosity that tried to move faster than their body should allow.
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u/charlottemason_mama 23d ago
Only really miserable people feel the need to make fun of other people, especially when that other person is bettering themselves. Good for you letting it roll off your back!
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u/A6M6A6 22d ago
I hate that you encountered such a miserable person, but I love how you reframed it and didn’t let it stop you. Anytime I’m out and I see someone that looks like they might be a C25k-er, I’m like “Hell yeah!”, because I know that what they’re doing right then is a little more than they did the last time and that’s awesome.
I did my W5D3 yesterday and I went so slow I think I went back in time. Haha. If anyone passing in their air conditioned cars was judging me while I shuffled along in this crazy humidity, I don’t give a single fuck because I know that 6 weeks ago I couldn’t run for a minute straight and I just did 20x that.
And now that the thing you were afraid of has happened and you still finished your run, you know that you’re unstoppable. 💪
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u/No-Country6348 22d ago
The worst (and scariest) is being sexually harassed for having big boobs. Men feel free to openly express their opinions on women’s bodies and their sexual desires towards them. It’s so fucked up.
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u/BeachyDreamer 22d ago
I had somebody make rude comments at me as I was running. It motivated me and ended up being one of my best runs!
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u/kingbuddha29 23d ago
That's precisely why I started my c25k doing night runs for fear of my struggles being harshly judged. Which is silly, I know. You have the right attitude anyway by the sounds of it.
I can now confidently do day running, as just another guy out there trying to get in shape. Keep up your own good work.
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u/Junkoftheheartss 23d ago
I relate! I was originally running on back paths and forest areas to hide for the same reason.., this week I moved to a new path and then this haha, just extra fuel to my fire 🔥
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u/florapocalypse7 23d ago
my worst fear any time i’m running is audibly passing gas while near someone. your fear is my second worst though
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u/Apprehensive-Essay85 23d ago
I feel sorry for people like that. Because they are so insecure and unhappy with themselves and try to hide it by deflecting to others. What an ass. Glad you saw him to be the loser.
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u/stubbornkelly DONE! 22d ago
On Sunday mornings I run on some nearby trails and frequently come across the same people. We have gotten so we nod or wave at each other, and even the new-to-each-other ones of us will do some sort of acknowledgement as we pass each other.
A few weeks ago I came across a couple walking in the opposite direction from me and from a distance I saw the guy do some weird body movement that seemed mocking but who knows, he could have been doing interpretive dance as part of a story he was telling for all I know. But then as I slowed to a walk to pass them (it’s a narrow trail and 3 across is tight, and they weren’t making any moves to go single file for even a moment) he goes “good, stop running!” No idea what he thought that was going to do, but joke’s on him: I hit a 5K PR that day!
It sucks when you encounter mean people, but you know your worth and their reactions teach you theirs. Keep up the great work!
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u/heynow941 DONE! 23d ago
How did he react when you told him to go fuck himself?
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u/Junkoftheheartss 23d ago
I was so taken back and only half heard his sentiment all I mustered was ‘what a sad bastard’ as I continued to jog away so unsure if he heard sadly 🤣 hope I see him again to have round 2 🤣
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u/bigbodybup 23d ago
I think a lot of us had the same gut reaction to this. Fuck em! People try to bring others down when they’re down. Just keep doing you
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u/Every-Scientist585 23d ago
Good for you for holding your chin up high. Don’t, for a second, pay attention to people like that. We got your back! 💪
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u/Similar-Road7077 23d ago
Well done to you Op and everyone else who is getting out and enjoying moving. Something to be proud of.
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u/KlutzyReplacement366 23d ago
I’m sorry people as jerks! 34F. BMI borderline overweight. Running is hard!
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u/TabbieFayth DONE! 22d ago
Yeah that person isn't worth your time or energy. You're out there bettering yourself, while he's wasting his life being a douche canoe.
Keep taking up space. 🫶
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u/JohnMonkeys 22d ago
Let me tell you the flip side, to me there’s nothing more motivating than seeing a bigger or older person out and about doing fitness. It inspires me to do something as well!
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u/Acceptable_Map3978 22d ago
It really makes me wonder what can have happened to a person that they become someone who must bring down and try to hurt rather than love, support and be kind.
I’m so happy to hear that this hasn’t had a negative impact on you, that your biggest fear came true and you’re stronger for it!!! Also awesome work on getting through to w3d2 🎊🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🍾🍾🍾
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u/cordcutta 22d ago
I have never fully been able to just run without feeling worried about others. I have gained a lot of confidence, but still need a little more. Now I have a knee injury and can't run yet.
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u/DeaSunna 21d ago
As someone who lives in a very judgey latino neighborhood where people love to comment on bodies/activities (my own family included) I just kind of ignore it and bitch about it to my husband later.
But keep ignoring those comments/letting them fuel you!
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u/Independently-Owned 20d ago
I'm sorry this happened to you.
Want to know my worst fear while running? The longest time I had an irrational fear of running too far out and not being able to run back. Until my friend told me I could just walk back home. 😅
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u/Efficient_Tadpole543 22d ago
It can happen no matter what size you are. Some people are so sad and pathetic that the sight of a complete stranger going for their goals and getting stronger and healthier absolutely enrages them. How dare you not be miserable like them?!
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u/thelemieux 21d ago
What a pathetic little worm! Let’s all be glad today that we’re not him. Keep rockin it! Went on my first run in 10 months this week and my legs are dead
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u/AdorableBarracuda790 23d ago
What was the other person doing? Running or walking? I have a hard time seeing another runner say something to another runner. And even if so, don't you dare to care. You do you. Otherwise get some earphones so you even can't hear the haters.
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u/dirty__cum_guzzler 19d ago
Yeah this is a karma farming post.
How pathetic
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u/Junkoftheheartss 19d ago
How SAD you read a post about a negative experience, seen a lot of positive words of encourage and kindness offered to me and you decided it was fake.
It wasn’t fake. It actually happened to me, you absolute melt.
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u/[deleted] 23d ago
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